Fickle relish. And hello Dr. Atkins… I kiss your face

First of all, know that I am a woman. I own the fickle factor in my hand. In fact I relish my fickle.

It’s fickle relish.

All joking aside (I really wanted to get the fickle relish comment in somewhere), in what has been the most difficult decision to me in a very very long time, I have made a firm and conscious decision due to too many years of relishing this condiment.

I’m going to go back to basics and what works best for me. I’m following Atkins 2002 induction. I have to.

I’ve tried myriad things, both because I want to give my anecdotal evidence to the various plans regarding my successes and failures. I wanted to live a little.

I also took some time off to manage my family by slowly decreasing their processed carbs and focusing on their needs and their fickle relish without frightening them with a low carb lifestyle. We’d fought that fight for too many years, so I went at it in reverse, removing white starches, soy, wheat and high fructose corn syrup from the house until everyone is at healthy, maintenance-level carb amounts. But while they’re getting better, I’m not. I’m just… not.

Friends have been asking me where I’m at on the weight these days, and let’s just say it ain’t been pretty for awhile. Sure, I’ve lost a lot in the past. I’ve lost so much I should be a hood ornament by now. I even made it to goal once and stayed there for three years. Now I’m maintaining where I have been more or less for the couple years or so, but at a highly unhealthy weight. Not gaining, but not losing either, and with growing health concerns in the process.

So for what has to be the final time, I move forward into this induction breech. This time, however, I bring three important things with me: you and Dr. Julia Ross. And simplicity.

Hello, simplicity! How are you?

*shakes hands*

Now you understand this means my friends will only be seeing very low carb recipes and induction friendly recipes in the coming months.

*head nods*

And I hope this means I can still own a few pairs of sensible yet fashion forward footwear.

*shrug*

Let’s leave it at that, then.

So here I am, keeping myself accountable to you, my friends, my family. I stand resolutely here, today and I tell you I am to begin my final journey to wellness, literally, figuratively and with that full zest for life I remembered having the first time my Father brought this plan home with him in 1984 when I was fourteen, and said to me, “My doctor introduced me to this book…”

Hello, Thursday, February 3. Thank you for being you. I kiss you on the face.

Thank you, friends. Thank you, Dad. And Thank you, Dr. Atkins.

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Comments

Loved your post Jamie!!! Can{t believe the timing as myself I have decided to also go back to Atkins induction as after 5 years of my first low carb success and many not low carb failures, I must be honest to myself and finally admit that for me, NOTHING ELSE WORKS LIKE LOW CARBING. I MUST LOW CARB IF I WANT TO RETURN TO A HEALTHY WEIGHT. Not only that, but as I turn 35 I realise I may have to follow a very low carb style for the rest of my life.

In the meanwhile, just wanted to say HI and I will be inductioning with you!!

Keep up THE GREAT WORK, your blog is on of the most AWESOME things I have ever found on the internets.

Yay, Isabel! Induction buddy! Here is two the two most important weeks of our lives. Keep me posted about how you're doing.

Dee– for me, Atkins 2002 is better since I have the rungs to adhere to.

While '72 got me to goal and kept me there for three years, at that time in my life, at this time in my life, I need the artificially imposed stringency of those rungs.

As a matter of fact, while I climb those rungs I'll probably follow a modified OWL which is 20 net carbs or less, regardless of rung. I don't do as well when I start really adding those carbs back.

Do I eat all of the recommended vegetables on Atkins 2002 induction? Not generally, no. In that vein I am closer to '72, but in terms of adding back carbs, I need to stick to 2002.

I definitely don't use the convenience products. For me, the only difference between 2002 and '72 (aside from the rungs) is Atkins adding net carbs to keep people from feeling guilty for eating more vegetables.

Good LUCK! I know what you mean, I lost over 110 on Atkins and kept it off for 8 YEARS. When it started creeping back up, NOTHING worked to get it off!I solved my problem, and now I'm smaller than I've EVER been….. and no sugar or carbs for ME 🙂

I'm also with you on going back to basics, Jamie. Although I'm not doing Atkins, but my Diet to Live For on my Global Forager website. That includes lower carbs, no white flour, sugar, or processed junk. I posted about my backsliding on it today on my blog.

I am right there with you. I started for what was the last time in October. I did awesome through Thanksgiving, but Christmas knocked me off my butt, and I'm still struggling to get back on track.

After one of your posts about Julia Ross, I got Diet Cure from the library, and I'm currently amassing my arsenal of supplements:) I too, struggle with the balance of keeping my family happy and healthy, and also keeping myself healthy. It's so hard!

Yes, I am finding my way back to DANDR2002 after getting too liberal. I've been maintaining wonderfully…but only that. And I can be better, and healthier. I'm glad to be along for this part of the ride.

I'm right here cheering you on lady! I started back strict induction around Christmas and it's paying off big time – almost 17 lbs gone already. That's pretty good for me, since I've tended to lose pretty slow in the past. Anyhoo, when you get the weight off we'll have to celebrate – I'll come take some sessy pics of ya! 🙂

I have been dickering with doing this myself. My Dad died 6 months ago and I delved into sweets and starches for comfort food. My sisters looked at me and said, "What's with you? You never eat sweets and now you're chowing down on them." I read this column and it just clicked that I can't put this off any more. Thanks for the push!

Oh wow! Am I ever glad that I logged on today. I, too, started back on Dr.A's Induction about 8 days ago. I am finally past the first three days. (For some reason the first three days 'back on' are the hardest for me.) Why is it that nothing else works? I have recently tried the Dukan Diet–basically Adkins, but with lower fat. I could not stay on.

We CAN DO THIS LADIES! To those of you just starting back…Wahoo!! Welcome to the club. 🙂

I tried the Cauliflower Pizza Crust using Spaghetti Squash yesterday. I did not have your recipe in front of me so I forgot the cheese. It almost worked with one cup of cooked spaghetti squash, one egg, plus the spices. It had a great taste, but was just a little soft. Sort of like a crepe. Just thought you all might like to know… 🙂

I have lost about 3 pounds in 8 days. Wish it were faster….kinda thought it would be. Wonder what I am doing wrong?

Thank you, thank you! Your timing is perfect for me, Jamie, and I'll be working on re-losing those pounds right along with you.

I lost 56 pounds on Atkins in the early 1990's and kept them off for about 12 years. Then I contracted the "just this one won't hurt me" syndrome, and over the last three years 13 of those pounds have crept back on.

Re-losing will be harder, I know. I'm almost 72 and have a physical condition that keeps me from doing much standing or walking. But I've started "sitting workouts" twice a day, and when warm weather comes I'll be able to do low-impact exercises in the pool.

My husband has a kidney condition and needs a diet very high in protein. But it must be extremely low in both sodium and potassium so I can't use bacon or sausage in cooking. He can have less than a half cup of dairy products (including cheese) daily. And he has to keep Vitamin K to a minimum, too, which eliminates most green, leafy vegetables. So most of the recipes I used before won't work at all now.

I should be able to rely on salads a lot for myself, though. And I'm hoping some of the recipes you come up with with help me to keep our meals from being too boring.

Good morning, everyone! Well, I made it through Day 2, but it was really hard. Day 2 always nearly kills me with the cravings–but I made it.

You can too!

I need to write about it more in depth.

Simply Suz– you are absolutely amazing! I am so proud of your efforts!

Anne H– How about film, feature and a well-placed whether report– because whether I want to or not, I've gotta lose this weight. LOL. I am so happy you're here, too! It makes for togetherness!

JennyPenny– it is so hard. We take care of everyone and I know we throw ourselves in and forget about ourselves. Or we say, "We'll get to us later." After this last gluten experiment I realized I need to do this for me…which will filter to my family as well! I will miss those high carb gluten free waffles…so I'll have to come up with my own, low carb version of crispiness.

Stephanie– I'm glad you're here too! You're going to be great! I have my 2002 DANDR ready to go. I need to reread it this weekend. It's one of those books I like to revisit at least annually (even though I need to follow it perpetually).

Amy– *fist bump**sparkles*

Amy D.– I am so proud of all of your hard work! It's awesome how many of us have recommitted. It shows we're human and we're working towards betterness! You've done so terrific!

Karn– you are absolutely amazing. WOW! 50 pounds!!

Pat– I regained weight after my Dad died. It is such a hard time! I had lost 60 pounds and when he died, I just fell into a deep depression. I know our ad's would want us to be healthy! so, let's do it! And a {{{big hug}}} to you.

Pennie– Look at you, on day 8! I know the first two days almost kill me every time. EVERY TIME. Email me and let's chat about your loss. I might be able to help. and thank you for letting me know how spaghetti squash! What a cool experiment!

Nadine– Bless you for all you're going through right now. It makes Atkins a blessing since weight loss doesn't necessitate much–if any–exercise unless you want to do it. I know when my ad first started Atkins he was on bed rest, so it worked for him with a recuperating broken back! Please let me know if there's a recipe you'd like to see that I don't have. We're all in this together!